Walgreens, AIG Clash Over Duty to Defend Opioid Crisis Litigation

American International Group Inc. units must pay Walgreen Co.'s defense costs in litigation alleging it fueled the opioid crisis because at least some of the underlying claims could be covered, the retail pharmacy chain told an Illinois state judge Friday.

If even one of the allegations in the underlying complaints is potentially covered, “that is the end of the story,” Walgreens’ attorney, Paula Litt of Honigman LLP, said in a hearing in Illinois Circuit Court, Cook County.

Walgreens sued its liability insurers in May 2022, seeking coverage for the underlying opioid suits, which were brought mainly by state and local ...